Heartstrings on Fire

“Agnes, don’t give me that sass,” Jared retorted, his voice a low growl. “Even if you don’t tell me, I can find out what kind of joint Eden Nights is. Do you really think it’s a place for you to be?”

“If you can be here, then why can’t I?” she shot back, her voice cold as ice. “If you’re so eager to know why I am here, then why don’t you start by telling me why you’re here?”

She was lying if she claimed she didn’t care. Deep down in her head, a voice was incessantly screaming, ‘Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t ask… but she couldn’t help herself

Jared stared at her, lips firmly pressed together, silent for what seemed like an eternity.

Agnes smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “See? You can’t answer that, can you? You’re no saint yourself, Jared. So why are you judging me with these high and mighty standards? Besides, I’m just your ex–wife, aren’t I? Even if I am a barmaid here, it’s my life and my choice. It doesn’t affect anyone else, let alone you.”

She knew what Jared was thinking, so she voiced his suspicions. His reaction was explosive.

Agnes not even pretending anymore?

she appeared in his eyes, or

Jared spat out,

your ex–wife is working in a place

was furious with him for being here in the first

So, they were even.

who no longer trusted each

mention having any lingering

past was a misunderstanding – even if Alyssa wasn’t the one who caused her mother’s death the chasm between them, built over the

met, the experiences they’d had, they’d formed a vast abyss between the

that